Harvard: Science X Design
Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash
The Harvard University Center on the Developing Child has launched Science X Design, an “open-access, self-paced learning module designed to support improved outcomes for young children and their caregivers”.
The Science X Design (SXD) learning module has been designed “to provide knowledge and experiences to leverage the science of early childhood development” and guides users to explore their current programming from multiple perspectives with the goal of improving outcomes for young children. The learning module, designed to be completed as a team, takes about 4-6 weeks to complete.
The SXD Module has been developed to support exploration of the following three perspective relevant to child- and caregiver-facing services:
1. Foundational science-informed principles of early childhood development.
2. Your current services or programming.
3. Understanding the needs and desires of key involved parties or clients.
The program of study includes:
Unit 1: Three Science-Informed Principles TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
1. Three Science-Informed Principles to Improve Outcomes in Early Childhood Development
2. What Surrounds Us Shapes Us
3. Introducing Three Science-Informed Principles
4. Principle 1: Reduce Sources of Significant Stress
5. Principle 2: Support Responsive Relationships
6. Principle 3: Strengthen Adaptive Skills in Context
Unit 2: Applying THREE Science-INFOMED PRINCIPLES to your Program
1. Applying Three Science-Informed Principles to Your Program
UNIT 3: Engaging with KEY INVOLVED PARTIES
1. Engaging with Key Involved Parties
2. Creating an Involved Party Feedback Guide
3. Conducting Feedback Sessions
Unit 4: Identifying your Design Opportunity
1. Identifying Your Design Opportunity
2. Bringing Together Your Insights
3. Brainstorming Design Opportunities
4. Next Steps
The learning module includes a downloadable facilitator guide and workbook. A resources list is also available for download to support design thinking and implementation of possible solutions, individualized to your own location and situation, that have arisen out of the discussions that have taken place whilst working through the design module.